leafer Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 http://leafer.50megs.com/images/gimbal1.jpg Keep in mind that this is still a prototype and it's not quite finished, yet. We still have to fabricate two potentiometer mounting plates and mounting holes will have to be drilled on the unit itself. But that'll have to wait untill my sister bring me the pots next month from the U.S. Notice the red rubberbands holding the stick in center position underneath the base plate? They will be replaced with springs but I don't have the springs, yet. The final product will be a little more refined. Corners will be rounded off on the milling machine and some area will be milled out for cooler appearance. It will also be hard-anodized in cool colors. :D The stick, which ever one I buy (CH or Cougar) will mate on a 1-1/2 foot long tube and the tube will mount on the gimbal shaft. I'm going for this look. See the box thingy just under the grip, I'm going fabricate one similiar to it from aluminum to house the usb pcb board. My friend already started machining parts for the rudder pedals and that should be done in a week or two. Please let me know what you guys think of it. :D more illustration on the project here: http://leafer.50megs.com/ Cheers ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
Gazehound Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 Nice work, but what exactly is a gimball? Ive heard mention of them in the past but only as reference to a JS addon. It appears as though you want to mount your joystick on a pole and have it come from the floor :S VVS504 Red Hammers
leafer Posted July 22, 2005 Author Posted July 22, 2005 A gimbal is the part that allows you to move the joystick about. It won't be mounted on the floor but instead it will be mounted on my flight chair like this. :D ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
51GRIZZLY Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 Nice work, but what exactly is a gimball? Ive heard mention of them in the past but only as reference to a JS addon. Gimbal: Pronunciation: 'gim-b&l, 'jim- Function: noun Etymology: alteration of obsolete gemel (double ring): a device that permits a body to incline freely in any direction or suspends it so that it will remain level when its support is tipped -- usually used in plural; called also gimbal ring
Gazehound Posted July 22, 2005 Posted July 22, 2005 Ok, got it. But then if you push your joystick left/up/whatever it will move without there being any input, or less input from the stick. VVS504 Red Hammers
leafer Posted July 23, 2005 Author Posted July 23, 2005 That looks like some fine machine work. thanks, but credit should go to my friend who machined them for me. :D Ok, got it. But then if you push your joystick left/up/whatever it will move without there being any input, or less input from the stick. Actually, I'm going to install two potentiometers; one on each axis, so it'll perform just as well as any mass produced joysticks. And unless you're using a stock Cougar, mine will perform even better-much better. lol :D ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
Prophet_169th Posted July 23, 2005 Posted July 23, 2005 Find some hall-effect sensors. Or even better, some digital encoders..... If only I had money to build a pit.
leafer Posted July 23, 2005 Author Posted July 23, 2005 Find some hall-effect sensors. Or even better, some digital encoders..... If only I had money to build a pit. Are you saying you've found a place to buy hall sensor or that I should use them instead of pots? If you've found a place that sells them for less than 50 usd a piece then I am interested. However, it has to be significantly less and not 1 dollar less...u know. :D What is a digital encoder? You don't need that much money if you don't build full-blown pit with working instruments. I am as broke as a person can be, but you know how it is when you want to play flight sim. And I haven't played for almost two years so the choice between food OR play a game is no longer a dilemma. :D Plus, I designed the gimbal to be inexpensive to machine and on top of that, labor is cheap in this stinkin' thirdworld country. :D :D ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
Andrew_McP Posted July 24, 2005 Posted July 24, 2005 Sexy looking sealed bearings! Takes me back to my skateboarding days. I can still smell new red Kryptonics if I close my eyes <sigh>. Er... I'm getting distracted. Looks like a great bit of work. The main reason I don't sell or give away my Cougar is that one day I hope to build some decent gimbals for it. Might have to wait until I retire though :-) Andrew McP
leafer Posted July 25, 2005 Author Posted July 25, 2005 I'm glad those 80 cent sealed bearings triggered some happy thought for ya. :D Yeah, eventually them Cougar is good for something. lol :D ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
Prophet_169th Posted July 25, 2005 Posted July 25, 2005 On most of the motors we use on the machines at work, they have an encoder side. The encoder is a disk with slits in it. There is a photo-interrupt sensor that watches the slits go by.
Prophet_169th Posted July 25, 2005 Posted July 25, 2005 but encoders can be made many ways. A hall-effect can be used for an encoder.
Prophet_169th Posted July 25, 2005 Posted July 25, 2005 $50? That must be for an entire assembly. If you are going through the trouble of making the gimbal, might as well build the curcuit. http://www.electronicsurplus.com/ccc1709-hall-effect.htm
leafer Posted July 26, 2005 Author Posted July 26, 2005 hmmm.... I posted the same link that you gave me at frugalsworld and looked what happened... One guy said they won't work. http://forums.frugalsworld.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=1021796#post1021796 Do you know which one of those is suitable for this sort of application? Sorry, but I have absolutely zero knowledge when it comes to this sort of thing. Or if you could give me a spec of what is required to be used in this type of application then it would be great. Thanks ED have been taking my money since 1995. :P
Recommended Posts